Near Eastern Studies
College of Letters and Science
Department Office: 250 Barrows Hall, (510) 642-3757
Chair: Margaret Larkin, PhD
Department Website: Near Eastern Studies
Related Course Descriptions:
Arabic courses
Cuneiform courses
Egyptian courses
Hebrew courses
Iranian courses
Persian courses
Semitics courses
Turkish courses
Overview
Instruction in the Department of Near Eastern Studies is concerned with the languages, literatures, and civilizations of the ancient, medieval, and modern Near East. The department offers specialized training in archaeology, art history, Assyriology, Egyptology, Iranian studies, Judaic and Islamic studies, comparative Semitics, Turkish, Hebrew, Arabic, and Persian. For students in other disciplines, the department provides a wide variety of courses to supplement such related fields as anthropology, linguistics, art history, history, political science, comparative literature, and folklore. Lecture courses offered by the department present a comprehensive body of information on past and present Near Eastern civilizations. Many of the courses taught in the department are restricted to a small number of students and thus afford an opportunity for close interaction with the instructing staff.
For a description of interdisciplinary graduate programs in which the department participates, please see the Graduate Education section of this Bulletin.
Cooperative arrangements between the University and the nearby Graduate Theological Union enable students in the department to use the extensive library holdings of the Union and supplement their programs with selected courses in Palestinian archaeology, Biblical studies, and Semitic epigraphy and philology.
The Majors
Note: NES 10 is required for all majors in the department. All courses used to meet upper division major requirements must be at least three units and taken for a letter grade.
The Major in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures
Major guidelines for each discipline are available in the departmental office. With the consent of the department, portions of the requirements may be fulfilled by related courses in other departments.
- Arabic, Hebrew, and Persian: Required: the elementary courses in the language, or their equivalents. It is recommended that these be taken beginning in the freshman year.
The major requires NES 10 and 24-28 units in upper division language and literature courses (taught in the language) and upper division NES courses (taught in English).
- Egyptology: The major requires NES 10 and 30 units in upper division language and lecture courses.
The Major in Ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern Art and Archaeology
- Ancient Near Eastern Art and Archaeology: NES 10 and 15 are required. NES 18, 25 and Anthropology 2 are recommended. Students must complete eight upper division courses from a list of courses in the department office. If, and only if, the courses listed are not available during the students' junior and senior years, the students may select any language or lecture course in the field of ancient Near Eastern Studies with the approval of the undergraduate adviser.
- Egyptian Art and Archaeology: This emphasis requires that students take NES 10, 18, 102A-102B, and Egyptian 100A-100B, 101A-101B. NES 15 and Anthropology 2 are highly recommended. In addition, students must take two upper division courses from a list available in the department office. Some background in French, German, and/or Arabic is recommended.
The Major in Near Eastern Civilizations
- Ancient Near Eastern Civilizations: This emphasis requires NES 10; one course from NES 15, 18, 25, or 34; and eight upper division courses from a list available in the department office. Up to two courses on the list for Islamic Civilizations may be substituted with the approval of the NES department undergraduate adviser.
- Islamic Civilizations: NES 10 is required. NES C26 and C92 are recommended. Students must complete nine upper division courses in the areas of Religion, History and Culture, Arts and Literature, and Near Eastern languages, from a list available in the department office. Up to two courses on the list for Ancient Near Eastern Civilizations may be substituted with the approval of the NES department undergraduate adviser.
Honors Program
With the consent of the undergraduate adviser, a student with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 or higher and a GPA of 3.51 or higher in courses completed in the major may apply for admission to the honors program. The requirements of this program include the completion of the honors thesis during the student's senior year. For a complete description of the program, please inquire at the department office.
The Minors
In each of the language minor programs, Option A is open to students with little or no background in the language. Option B is for students who have completed the equivalent of two years of university-level coursework in the language. Students may pursue the major in Ancient Near Eastern archaeology and art history and a minor in one of the department's language programs, even though both are administered by the Department of Near Eastern Studies; students may not pursue a major in one of the Near Eastern Studies languages and a minor in another. Students may pursue the major in Near Eastern languages and literatures and a minor in Ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern civilizations. For lists of courses which may be taken to fulfill the minor course requirements, please inquire at the department office.
The Minor in Arabic, Option A: Required courses: Arabic 20A-20B (in addition to Arabic 1A-1B). Five upper division courses: Arabic 100A; two one-semester literature courses (in Arabic); two one-semester courses in Arabic culture/history.
The Minor in Arabic, Option B: Required courses: Seven upper division courses: five one-semester courses in Arabic language or literature (in Arabic); two one-semester courses in Arabic culture/history.
The Minor in Hebrew, Option A: Required courses: Hebrew 20A-20B (in addition to Hebrew 1A-1B). Five upper division courses: Hebrew 100A-100B, Hebrew 104A-104B; a one-semester course in Hebrew culture/history.
The Minor in Hebrew, Option B: Required courses: Seven upper division courses: five one-semester courses in Hebrew language or literature (in Hebrew); two one-semester courses in Hebrew culture/history.
The Minor in Persian, Option A: Required courses: Persian 1A-1B. Five upper division courses: Persian 100A-100B; Persian 101A-101B; a one-semester course in Persian culture/history.
The Minor in Persian, Option B: Required courses: Seven upper division courses: five one-semester courses in Persian literature (in Persian); two one-semester courses in Persian culture/history.
The Minor in Turkish, Option A: Required courses: Turkish 1A-1B. Five upper division courses: Turkish 100A-100B; Turkish 101A-101B or Turkish 102A-102B; a one-semester course in Turkish culture/history.
The Minor in Turkish, Option B: Required courses: Seven upper division courses: five one-semester courses in Turkish literature (in Turkish); two one-semester courses in Turkish culture/history.
The Minor in Ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern Civilizations: Required courses: NES 15 or 18, and five semesters of upper division courses chosen from a list available at the department office. NES 25 and 34 are recommended.
Graduate Programs
Graduate programs leading to the MA and PhD degrees are offered in the following languages and literatures: Arabic, Hebrew, and Persian. The same degrees are also offered in the following fields of Near Eastern Studies: archaeology, art history, cuneiform, Biblical and Judaic studies, Old Iranian studies, comparative Semitics, Egyptology, and Islamic studies.
Graduate Degrees
Applicants for graduate study should have fulfilled the equivalent of the departmental requirements for the BA in their proposed area of study. The department encourages its own graduate students to take advantage of courses in other departments which are relevant to their disciplines and fields of study. Upon approval by the graduate adviser, such courses may be recognized as fulfilling portions of the departmental coursework requirements for graduate degrees.
The MA Degree
The MA is obtained according to the Graduate Division's Plan II. A complete description of Graduate Division requirements for this degree is found in the Graduate Education section of this catalog. In addition to the requirements outlined for Plan II, students must pass a reading examination in either French or German (another language may be substituted on approval of the major adviser).
Plan II requires at least 24 units of coursework. For students in the language programs, at least 12 of their 24 units must be in 200-series courses in the major and three semesters of work in a Near Eastern language other than the student's major language. For students in archaeology and art history programs with a Near Eastern emphasis, at least 12 of the 24 units must be in 200-series courses and three semesters must be drawn from NES 220A-220B and 223A-223B. For students in archaeology and art history programs with an Egyptian emphasis, at least 12 of the 24 units must be in 200-series courses, and the required 24 units must include two semesters of work in the ancient Egyptian language beyond the second-year level. The 12 200-series units must be from seminar courses (one 200-level Egyptian language course may count toward the seminar requirement). Two scholarly papers written independently or in connection with coursework will also be required. Written comprehensive examinations are required of all students to test working knowledge of pertinent languages; general knowledge of the history and civilization of area of emphasis; knowledge of other subjects suggested by the student's degree committee.
The PhD Degree
Students must have completed an appropriate MA program to be eligible for the PhD program. Admission to candidacy for the PhD degree depends on successful completion of the following requirements:
- PhD coursework
- Reading examinations in French and German (proficiency in a European or other modern language germane to the student's field of emphasis may be substituted on approval of the graduate adviser and the student's advisory committee)
- Proficiency in one or two Near Eastern languages, as required for the student's field of study (For language majors, proficiency will be tested through the written preliminary examinations, which will cover at least two Near Eastern languages. For Egyptian archaeology and art history majors, proficiency will be tested through a written examination in Egyptian and/or Coptic which must be completed and passed no later than the semester before the student's qualifying examination. Archaeology and art history student's (except those in Egyptian archaeology) who have not completed a minimum of two years of coursework in an ancient or modern Near Eastern language must pass a proficiency examination in an ancient or modern Near Eastern language before taking the preliminary examinations.)
- Fieldwork (for art history and archaeology majors)
- Written preliminary examination and the oral qualifying examination
- A prospectus of the dissertation approved by the student's proposed PhD dissertation committee
After admission to candidacy, the student is to fulfill the requirements for the dissertation as outlined in the Graduate Education section of this Bulletin.
For further information on the graduate programs, please refer to the following page .
Special Programs
The Graduate Program in Ancient History and Mediterranean Archaeology
This program is available to students with backgrounds in ancient history and archaeology. The ancient studies faculty of the Department of Near Eastern Studies are faculty for this program. See the AHMA section in this Bulletin for a full description of this program.
NE STUD R1A Reading and Composition in Near Eastern Studies 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of conference per week. 8 hours of lecture/conference per week for 6 weeks. 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of conference per week. 8 hours of lecture/conference per week for 6 weeks.
Prerequisites: UC Entry Level Writing Requirement or UC Analytical Writing Placement Exam. 1A is prerequisite to 1B.
Expository writing based on analysis of selected texts or literatures in translation or writings interpreting the material culture of the ancient Near or modern Middle East. Specific topics vary with instructor. R1A satisfies the first half of the Reading and Composition requirement, and R1B satisfies the second half.
Satisfies the first half of the Reading and Composition requirement
NE STUD R1B Reading and Composition in Near Eastern Studies 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of conference per week. 8 hours of lecture/conference per week for 6 weeks. 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of conference per week. 8 hours of lecture/conference per week for 6 weeks.
Prerequisites: UC Entry Level Writing Requirement or UC Analytical Writing Placement Exam. 1A is a prerequisite to 1B.
Expository writing based on analysis of selected texts or literatures in translation or writings interpreting the material culture of the ancient Near or modern Middle East. Specific topics vary with instructor. R1A satisfies the first half of the Reading and Composition requirement, and R1B satisfies the second half.
Satisfies the second half of the Reading and Composition requirement
NE STUD 10 Introduction to the Near East 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 10 hours of lecture/discussion per week for 6 weeks.
The background and present status of the ethnic and religious groups in the Arab states, Turkey, Israel, and Iran.
NE STUD 15 Introduction to Near Eastern Art and Archaeology 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks. 8 hours of Lecture and 2 hours of Discussion per week for 6 weeks.
The ancient Near East (present-day Iran, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, and Turkey) is considered the cradle of civilization. Here in Mesopotamia and its neighboring regions, the first cities arose, writing was invented, armies forged the earliest empires, and complex religious beliefs were expressed in art and architecture. This course surveys the major archaeological sites and monuments from the earliest settlements to the conquest of the Near East by Alexander the Great in 330 BCE.
Instructor: Feldman
NE STUD N16 Introduction to Islamic Art 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Term course may be offered: Summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 6 hours of Lecture and 2 hours of Discussion per week for 8 weeks. 6.5 hours of Lecture and 2.5 hours of Discussion per week for 6 weeks.
The art and architecture of the Islamic lands from the seventh to the seventeenth centuries.
NE STUD 18 Introduction to Ancient Egypt 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 8 hours of illustrated lecture and 2 hours of museum section per week.
A general introduction to ancient Egypt, providing overview coverage of ancient Egyptian culture and society (history, art, religion, literature, language, social structure), Egyptian archaeology (pyramids, tombs, mummies, temples, cities, monuments, daily life), and the history and development of the modern discipline of Egyptology. Assumes no prior knowledge of subject. Almost all lectures are illustrated extensively by slides. Discussion sections are held in the Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology, which has the best collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts west of Chicago.
NE STUD 24 Freshman Seminars 1 Unit
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: The grading option will be decided by the instructor when the class is offered.
Hours and format: 1 hour of Seminar per week for 15 weeks.
The Berkeley Seminar Program has been designed to provide new students with the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member in a small-seminar setting. Berkeley Seminars are offered in all campus departments, and topics vary from department to department and semester to semester.
Course may be repeated for credit as topic varies. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD C26/GEOG C55 Introduction to Central Asia 3 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies; Geography
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
This course will introduce the student not only to ancient and modern Central Asia, but also to the role played by the region in the shaping of the history of neighboring regions and regimes. The course will outline the history, languages, ethnicities, religions, and archaeology of the region and will acquaint the student with the historical foundations of some of the political, social and economic challenges for contemporary post-Soviet Central Asian republics.
NE STUD 98 Directed Group Study for Lower Division Students 1 - 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Offered for pass/not pass grade only.
Hours and format: 1 contact hour per week per unit.
Prerequisites: Lower division standing. Student must submit a written proposal with consent of instructor to the department chair for approval.
Topics vary.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes. Enrollment is restricted; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section of this catalog.
NE STUD 99 Supervised Independent Study 1 - 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Offered for pass/not pass grade only.
Hours and format: 1 contact hour per week per unit.
Prerequisites: Lower division standing; 3.3 GPA and consent of instructor. Students must submit a written proposal to the chair of the department for approval.
Topics vary.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes. Enrollment is restricted; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section of this catalog.
NE STUD 102A Archaeology of Ancient Egypt 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of museum section per week.
Prerequisites: 18 or equivalent or consent of instructor.
Students who have taken 175A, 175B, 175C, or 175D will receive no credit for 102A-102B.
NE STUD 102B Archaeology of Ancient Egypt 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of museum section per week.
Prerequisites: 18 or equivalent or consent of instructor.
Students who have taken 175A, 175B, 175C, or 175D will receive no credit for 102A-102B.
NE STUD 103 Religion of Ancient Egypt 3 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks. 6 hours of Lecture per week for 8 weeks. 7 hours of Lecture per week for 6 weeks.
Prerequisites: 18 or consent of instructor.
A survey of the religious beliefs of the ancient Egyptians, based primarily upon the written sources.
NE STUD C103/RELIGST C103 Religion of Ancient Egypt 3 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies; Religious Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: 18 or consent of instructor.
A survey of the religious beliefs of the ancient Egyptians, based primarily upon the written sources.
NE STUD C104/RELIGST C104 Babylonian Religion 3 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies; Religious Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of lecture per week.
A survey of Babylonian religious beliefs and practices based on indigenous texts and monuments.
NE STUD 105A Ancient Mesopotamian Documents and Literature 3 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
A representative survey of original 3rd-1st millennium Cuneiform texts in translation. The Sumerian religious and scholastic tradition; myths of creation, hymns, epics and early historical material.
NE STUD 106A Art and Architecture of Ancient Egypt 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks. 8 hours of Lecture and 2 hours of Discussion per week for 6 weeks.
Prerequisites: A. 18 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. B. 106A or consent of instructor.
Stylistic and iconographic study of Egyptian art and architecture from Predynastic times through the end of the pharaonic period. Discussion sections will focus on Egyptian material in the Hearst Museum collection. Will cover the period from Predynastic times until the end of the First Intermediate Period (ca. 5000-2000 BC).
NE STUD 106B Art and Architecture of Ancient Egypt 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks. 8 hours of Lecture and 2 hours of Discussion per week for 6 weeks.
Prerequisites: A. 18 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. B. 106A, or consent of instructor.
Stylistic and iconographic study of Egyptian art and architecture from Predynastic times through the end of the pharaonic period. Discussion sections will focus on Egyptian material in the Hearst Museum collection. Will consider the period from the end of the First Intermediate Period through the Graeco-Roman Period (ca. 2000 BC - 1st century AD).
NE STUD 108 Topics in the Ancient Mediterranean World 2 - 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of lecture or seminar per week. 3 units awarded when course is given as a lecture course. 4 units are given when course is given as a seminar and the student completes a seminar paper; 2 units are given as a seminar and there is no seminar paper. 5.5 hours of lecture or seminar per week for 8 weeks. 7 hours of lecture or seminar per week for 6 weeks. 3 units awarded when course is given as a lecture course; 4 units when course is given as a seminar and the student completes a seminar paper; 2 units when given as a seminar with no seminar paper.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
Varying topics in the cultural connections of the ancient Mediterranean world from the fourth millennium B.C.E. to late antiquity. Typical themes/topics might include: ideologies of gender and sexuality; comparative religions or literatures; archaeological and/or historical interconnections.
Course may be repeated for credit as topic varies. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 109 Mesopotamian History 3 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
Ancient Mesopotamian political, cultural, and economic history from the invention of script to the Persian conquest of Babylon will be presented in survey, and one topic will be selected for in-depth study.
NE STUD 112 Survey of Ancient Egyptian History 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: 18 or equivalent or consent of instructor.
A concise survey of Ancient Egyptian history from Late Predynastic times to the conquest of Alexander the Great.
Students will receive no credit for 112 after taking 101A-101B; 2 units after taking 101A or 101B.
NE STUD 113 Gilgamesh: King, Hero, and God 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
The most famous of Babylonian heroes is Gilgamesh, King of Uruk. The Gilgamesh Epic, recorded on twelve tablets in cuneiform, follows him in his quest for fame and eternal life. In this course, we will read the Gilgamesh Epic as well as several earlier texts around the same character. Moreover, we will read additional ancient texts that elucidate one or another aspect of the Epic. We will follow the traditions around Gilgamesh and see how his fame was used for literary, religious, and political purposes. Finally, we will look at some of the modern Gilgamesh interpretations.
NE STUD C119/ANTHRO C123F Disciplining Near Eastern Archaeology: Explorers, Archaeologists, and Tourists in the Contemporary Middle East 3 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies; Anthropology
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks. 5.5 hours of Lecture per week for 8 weeks. 7.5 hours of Lecture per week for 6 weeks.
This course examines the roles that Near Eastern archaeology plays within the context of recent Middle Eastern history and society, from 1800 to the present day. Topics include the discipline's entanglement with imperialism, nationalism, science, tourism, the antiquities trade, media, and war. Students will examine and discuss ethnographies, technical reports, memoirs, films, and images.
Instructor: Porter
NE STUD C120A/HISTART C120A The Art of Ancient Mesopotamia: 3500-1000 BCE 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies; History of Art
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks.
The art and architecture of early Mesopotamia will be explored in terms of the social, political, and cultural context of ancient Sumer, Babylonia, and Assyria during the period of urbanization and early kingdoms. The course provides an integrated picture of the arts of Mesopotamia and neighboring regions from 3500-1000 BCE with an emphasis on the development of visual narrative, the use of art in the expression of authority and legitimacy, and artistic interconnections between cultures. Collections on campus or in the area will be incorporated whenever possible.
NE STUD C120B/HISTART C120B The Art of Ancient Mesopotamia: 1000-330 BCE 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies; History of Art
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks.
The royal art and architecture of later Mesopotamia will be explored in terms of the social, political, and cultural context of the great empires of Assyria, Babylon, and Persia. The course provides an integrated picture of the arts of Mesopotamia and neighboring regions from 1000-330 BCE with an emphasis on the development of visual narrative, the use of art in the expression of authority and legitimacy, and artistic interconnections between cultures. Collections on campus or in the area will be incorporated whenever possible.
NE STUD C121A/HISTART C121A Topics in Islamic Art 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies; History of Art
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks.
The course will treat in depth topics in Islamic architecture and topics in Islamic art. Subjects addressed may include painting, calligraphy, and book production.
Course may be repeated for credit as topic varies. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 122 Iranian Archaeology 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: 15 is recommended.
A survey of the archaeology of Iran and its neighbors from the Paleolithic Era to the Sasanian period. Students will analyze architecture, artifacts, and written sources, discuss debates, and learn archaeological methods.
Formerly known as 122A-122B.
NE STUD 123 Mesopotamian Archaeology 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Seminar and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: 15 recommended.
A survey of Mesopotamian archaeology from the Paleolithic Era to 300 BCE investigating the origins of agriculture, urbanism, states, and empires in ancient Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. Students will analyze architecture, artifacts, and written sources, discuss current debates, and learn archaeological research methods.
Formerly known as 123A-123B.
NE STUD 124 Levantine Archaeology 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: 15 is recommended.
A survey of Levantine archaeology from the Paleolithic Era to 300 BCE investigating the origins of agriculture, technologies, villages, and states in ancient Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria. Prehistoric, Canaanite, and Israelite societies are emphasized. Students will analyze architecture, artifacts, and written sources, discuss debates, and learn archaeological methods.
Formerly known as 124A-124B.
NE STUD 126 Silk Road Art and Archaeology 3 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
The course will outline art and archaeology of the Silk Roads from the 5th century BCE to the 10th century CE. A number of specific sites located along the Silk Roads will be selected and explored in depth, as examples which reveal the manifold cultural currents along the trade routes. Special attention will be paid to the eclecticism in Silk Road cultures brought about by the movement of peoples and merchandise which facilitated the spread and fusion along these trading routes of various ideas, cultural forms, art styles, and religious concepts. The social and political underpinnings of this eclecticism will be examined.
NE STUD C129/HISTART C140 Minoan and Mycenaean Art 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies; History of Art
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks.
This course analyzes the art, architecture, and archaeology of prehistoric Greece, concentrating on the Minoan and Mycenaean palatial arts of the Bronze Age (3000-1200 BCE). The evocative yet still enigmatic remains of palaces and funerary complexes, frescoes and vase paintings, and precious worked pieces will be closely examined in terms of their forms and cultural contexts. The place of prehistoric Greece in the international world of the eastern Mediterranean will also be explored.
NE STUD 132 Biblical Poetry 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks.
A survey of the poetics and genres of poetry in the Hebrew Bible, focusing on close reading of selected texts. Theoretical issues will include the dynamics of parallelism, metaphor, intertextuality, agency, and gender. Historical issues will include the ancient Near Eastern literary genres and the political and ritual dynamics of the biblical poems. Throughout the course, we will also be reading selected modern poems that respond to biblical poetry. Primary texts will be largely drawn from the books of Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and the prophets. All texts will be read in translation.
NE STUD C135/RELIGST C132 Jewish Civilization I: The Biblical Period 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies; Religious Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks.
This is the first course in a four-course sequence in the history of Jewish culture and civilization. It covers the biblical period and the period up to the destruction of the second temple. This course will explore the current state of our knowledge, including the legacy of ancient Near Eastern myth and religion, the history of Israelite religion, the literary features of biblical narrative, and the Dead Sea Scrolls.
NE STUD 139 Modern Jewish Literatures 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks. 6 hours of Lecture per week for 8 weeks.
Prerequisites: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.
Trends and genres in modern Jewish literatures--translated from Hebrew and Yiddish, with selected texts translated from other Jewish languages like Ladino and Judeo-Arabic. Focus will be on developments in Jewish literary traditions since the enlightenment in the context of tensions between occidental and oriental formations of Jewish culture.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 140 Topics in Islamic Thought and Institutions 3 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
Selected topics from Islamic intellectual history.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 143A Islam in Iran 3 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
A general survey of the religious history of Iran in the Islamic period, covering the rise and development of religious institutions, the elaboration of the religious sciences, Sufism, and sectarian movements.
NE STUD 143B Islam in Iran 3 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
A general survey of the religious history of Iran in the Islamic period, covering the rise and development of religious institutions, the elaboration of the religious sciences, Sufism, and sectarian movements.
NE STUD 146 Islam 3 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 8 hours of lecture per week for 6 weeks.
A comprehensive and detailed introduction to the sources, doctrines, practices, and institutions of Islam, together with their historical development and elaboration in a select number of ethnic and geographic environments and an overview of Islam in the world today.
NE STUD 146A Islam 3 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks. 8 hours of Lecture per week for 6 weeks.
A comprehensive and detailed introduction to the sources, doctrines, practices, and institutions of Islam, together with their historical development and elaboration in a select number of ethnic and geographic environments and an overview of Islam in the world today.
NE STUD 146B Islam 3 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks. 8 hours of Lecture per week for 6 weeks.
A comprehensive and detailed introduction to the sources, doctrines, practices, and institutions of Islam, together with their historical development and elaboration in a select number of ethnic and geographic environments and an overview of Islam in the world today.
NE STUD 154 Narratives of Identity in Israeli and Palestinian Fiction 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Term course may be offered: Summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 15 hours of lecture per week for 4 weeks and a number of field trips.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
The dynamics of identity in contemporary Israeli and Palestinian fiction. Since in both literary traditions the quest for identity invariably involves an encounter with the cultural "other," the examination of this phenomenon within a single context can be revealing. We will approach the subject through lectures, discussion, and the viewing of video and film dramatizations of Arabic and Hebrew works that deal with identity, and make use of the class location to significantly enhance learning by visiting Arabic and Hebrew theaters and literary establishments and by meeting and interacting with Israeli and Palestinian writers, critics, and scholars. English is the language of instruction, and the required readings of novels, novellas, short stories, and works of literary and cultural criticism are in English translation. A midterm, final examination, and two short analytical papers are required.
NE STUD 155 Wonder and the Fantastic: The Thousand and One Nights in World Literary Imagination 3 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
After studying the tales themselves and examining their structure and how they fit into the genre of folk literature, we will investigate how the was transmitted, translated, and received in Europe, as a window on 19th-century gender and racial attitudes, especially Western views of the "oriental" other. How the was creatively manipulated by Western writers will be studied, as will the influence of these tales on modern Arabic literature itself. Several examples of how the have been represented in Western films will be considered. All works will be read in English translation.
NE STUD 160 Religions of Ancient Iran 3 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
Principally devoted to Zoroastrianism and Manicheanism but with some attention to Indo-Iranian origins, and relevance of Iranian religion for the history of Hellenistic Gnosticism, Judaism, and Islam.
NE STUD 162A History of Persian Literature 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks. 2.5 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 8 weeks.
These courses offer a comprehensive introduction to the main currents in Persian literature from the 10th century to the contemporary period. They introduce students to various genres, period styles, and crucial formal and thematic elements necessary to the understanding of Persian literature. While 162A deals with classical Persian literature, 162B deals with Persian literature since the advent of modernity in Persian-speaking lands, namely the 19th century. Both courses emphasize the impact of social factors, political events, and intellectual currents on Persian literary production. The course is taught in English. Knowledge of Persian is desirable but not required.
NE STUD 162B History of Persian Literature 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks. 2.5 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 8 weeks.
These courses offer a comprehensive introduction to the main currents in Persian literature from the 10th century to the contemporary period. They introduce students to various genres, period styles, and crucial formal and thematic elements necessary to the understanding of Persian literature. While 162A deals with classical Persian literature, 162B deals with Persian literature since the advent of modernity in Persian-speaking lands, namely the 19th century. Both courses emphasize the impact of social factors, political events, and intellectual currents on Persian literary production. The course is taught in English. Knowledge of Persian is desirable but not required.
NE STUD 165 Film and Fiction of Iran 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of lecture/discussion and 2 hours of film screening/discussion per week. 7.5 hours of lecture/discussion and 5 hours of filmscreening/discussion per week for 6 weeks.
Prerequisites: Upper division status.
Introduces students to major themes in modern Iranian literature and cinema. Short story readings and discussions provide an analytical framework of the screening of films covering diverse topics of significance in Iran today. All films have English subtitles; lectures and readings are in English. No prior history of Iranian history or literature is required.
Instructor: Pirnazar
NE STUD 170 Islamic History and Historiography (600-1050) 3 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
The course introduces students to Islamic history and challenges of Islamic historiography from the rise of Islam (ca.600 CE) to the coming of the Seljuks (1050CE). Students will gain an understanding of the religious, social, and political institutions of Islam in their historical contexts. Throughout the course, they will be exposed to various primary and secondary sources that help them develop a sense of how the historical narrative was produced.
Instructor: Ahmed
NE STUD 175 History and Culture of Afghanistan 3 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
This course will discuss Afghanistan from ancient times to the present, including the emergence of Afghanistan as a modern nation-state and its geo-strategic importance. The Soviet invasion and aftermath will be emphasized, along with issues of state and society, ethnic diversity and tribal structure, challenges of modernization, and nationalism and political identity. The role of religion and mystical orders and the role of art, music, and literature will also be discussed.
NE STUD 180 The Quran and Its Interpretation 3 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
The course introduces students to Quran and to methods of its interpretation, as adopted in the exegetical (tafsir) literature. In addition to being exposed to secondary academic literature on the Quran and its exegesis, students will be offered a high dose of primary exegetical texts in translation. Passages from a number of periods and denominations will be selected, so that students may develop an appreciation of the interpretive range of a constantly-evolving tradition.
Instructor: Asad Ahmed
NE STUD 190A Special Topics in Fields of Near Eastern Studies: Ancient Near Eastern Studies 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks. 5.5 hours of Lecture per week for 8 weeks.
Topics explore themes and problems in the various fields of Near Eastern studies. They often reflect the research interests of the instructor and supplement regular curricular offerings. Specific descriptions of current offerings in this series are available through the department.
Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 190C Special Topics in Fields of Near Eastern Studies: Jewish Studies 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks. 5.5 hours of Lecture per week for 8 weeks.
Topics explore themes and problems in the various fields of Near Eastern studies. They often reflect the research interests of the instructor and supplement regular curricular offerings. Specific descriptions of current offerings in this series are available through the department.
Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 190D Special Topics in Fields of Near Eastern Studies: Islamic Studies 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks. 5.5 hours of Lecture per week for 8 weeks. 10 hours of Lecture per week for 6 weeks.
Topics explore themes and problems in the various fields of Near Eastern studies. They often reflect the research interests of the instructor and supplement regular curricular offerings. Specific descriptions of current offerings in this series are available through the department.
Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 190E Special Topics in Fields of Near Eastern Studies: Arabic 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks. 5.5 hours of Lecture per week for 8 weeks.
Topics explore themes and problems in the various fields of Near Eastern studies. They often reflect the research interests of the instructor and supplement regular curricular offerings. Specific descriptions of current offerings in this series are available through the department.
Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 190H Special Topics in Fields of Near Eastern Studies: Hebrew 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks. 5.5 hours of Lecture per week for 8 weeks.
Topics explore themes and problems in the various fields of Near Eastern studies. They often reflect the research interests of the instructor and supplement regular curricular offerings. Specific descriptions of current offerings in this series are available through the department.
Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 190I Special Topics in Fields of Near Eastern Studies: Iranian/Persian 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks. 5.5 hours of Lecture per week for 8 weeks. 8 hours of Lecture per week for 6 weeks.
Topics explore themes and problems in the various fields of Near Eastern studies. They often reflect the research interests of the instructor and supplement regular curricular offerings. Specific descriptions of current offerings in this series are available through the department.
Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 192A Undergrad Seminar: Problems and Research in Near Eastern Studies: Ancient Near Eastern Studies 2 or 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of seminar plus ex10sive outside work.
This series is designed to acquaint upper division students with advanced research strategies in specific areas of Near Eastern Studies. The course may reflect current research and interests of the instructors and will introduce students to specialized problems in the field. Two units for presentation; four units for paper and presentation.
Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 192B Undergrad Seminar: Problems and Research in Near Eastern Studies: Egyptian Studies 2 or 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of seminar plus ex10sive outside work.
This series is designed to acquaint upper division students with advanced research strategies in specific areas of Near Eastern Studies. The course may reflect current research and interests of the instructors and will introduce students to specialized problems in the field. Two units for presentation; four units for paper and presentation.
Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 192C Undergrad Seminar: Problems and Research in Near Eastern Studies: Jewish Studies 2 or 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of seminar plus ex10sive outside work.
This series is designed to acquaint upper division students with advanced research strategies in specific areas of Near Eastern Studies. The course may reflect current research and interests of the instructors and will introduce students to specialized problems in the field. Two units for presentation; four units for paper and presentation.
Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 192D Undergrad Seminar: Problems and Research in Near Eastern Studies: Islamic Studies 2 or 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of seminar plus ex10sive outside work.
This series is designed to acquaint upper division students with advanced research strategies in specific areas of Near Eastern Studies. The course may reflect current research and interests of the instructors and will introduce students to specialized problems in the field. Two units for presentation; four units for paper and presentation.
Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 192E Undergrad Seminar: Problems and Research in Near Eastern Studies: Arabic 2 or 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of seminar plus ex10sive outside work.
This series is designed to acquaint upper division students with advanced research strategies in specific areas of Near Eastern Studies. The course may reflect current research and interests of the instructors and will introduce students to specialized problems in the field. Two units for presentation; four units for paper and presentation.
Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 192F Undergrad Seminar: Problems and Research in Near Eastern Studies: Cuneiform 2 or 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of seminar plus ex10sive outside work.
This series is designed to acquaint upper division students with advanced research strategies in specific areas of Near Eastern Studies. The course may reflect current research and interests of the instructors and will introduce students to specialized problems in the field. Two units for presentation; four units for paper and presentation.
Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 192G Undergrad Seminar: Problems and Research in Near Eastern Studies: Egyptian 2 or 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of seminar plus ex10sive outside work.
This series is designed to acquaint upper division students with advanced research strategies in specific areas of Near Eastern Studies. The course may reflect current research and interests of the instructors and will introduce students to specialized problems in the field. Two units for presentation; four units for paper and presentation.
Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 192H Undergrad Seminar: Problems and Research in Near Eastern Studies: Hebrew 2 or 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of seminar plus ex10sive outside work.
This series is designed to acquaint upper division students with advanced research strategies in specific areas of Near Eastern Studies. The course may reflect current research and interests of the instructors and will introduce students to specialized problems in the field. Two units for presentation; four units for paper and presentation.
Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 192I Undergrad Seminar: Problems and Research in Near Eastern Studies: Iranian/Persian 2 or 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of seminar plus ex10sive outside work.
This series is designed to acquaint upper division students with advanced research strategies in specific areas of Near Eastern Studies. The course may reflect current research and interests of the instructors and will introduce students to specialized problems in the field. Two units for presentation; four units for paper and presentation.
Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 192J Undergrad Seminar: Problems and Research in Near Eastern Studies: Semitics 2 or 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of seminar plus ex10sive outside work.
This series is designed to acquaint upper division students with advanced research strategies in specific areas of Near Eastern Studies. The course may reflect current research and interests of the instructors and will introduce students to specialized problems in the field. Two units for presentation; four units for paper and presentation.
Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 192K Undergrad Seminar: Problems and Research in Near Eastern Studies: Turkish 2 or 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of seminar plus ex10sive outside work.
This series is designed to acquaint upper division students with advanced research strategies in specific areas of Near Eastern Studies. The course may reflect current research and interests of the instructors and will introduce students to specialized problems in the field. Two units for presentation; four units for paper and presentation.
Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 193 Near Eastern Archaeological Field School 6 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Term course may be offered: Summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: Forty hours of Fieldwork, 5 hours of Laboratory, and 2 hours of Lecture per week for 6 weeks.
Prerequisites: No prerequisites but courses in archaeology or Middle/Near Eastern studies are recommended.
This course teaches archaeological field methods through hands-on instruction. Students work with the project staff and receive exposure to techniques like excavation, survey, illustration, photography, and artifact processing. Students also learn local archaeology and history through weekly lectures and field trips.
NE STUD H195 Senior Honors 2 - 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Offered for pass/not pass grade only.
Hours and format: Zero hours of Independent study per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: Limited to senior honors candidates.
Directed study centered upon preparation of an honors thesis.
Course may be repeated for a maximum of 4 units.
NE STUD 198 Directed Group Study for Upper Division Students 1 - 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Offered for pass/not pass grade only.
Hours and format: Variable meetings.
Instruction in areas not covered by regularly scheduled courses: Phoenician, Cypriote, Syrian Archaeology.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 199 Supervised Independent Study and Research 1 - 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Offered for pass/not pass grade only.
Hours and format: Zero hours of Independent study per week for 15 weeks. 1.5 to 7.5 hours of Independent study per week for 8 weeks. 2.5 to 10 hours of Independent study per week for 6 weeks.
Enrollment is restricted by regulations shown in the
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 200 Graduate Proseminar 1 Unit
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 1 to 2 hour of Seminar per week for 15 weeks.
Introduction to the academic profession of Near Eastern studies. This course will survey the various disciplines and subfields contained under this rubric, including their developmental histories, methodologies, and primary and secondary data sources. Enrollment in this course is required of all graduate students during their first year of study.
NE STUD 202 Fields, Methods and Current Trends in Ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern Studies 2 - 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: The grading option will be decided by the instructor when the class is offered.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Seminar per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
An introduction to the diversity of fields and disciplines that comprise ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern studies, including current and traditional methods and trends. Designed for candidates for higher degrees in Near Eastern Studies and related programs.
NE STUD 205 Using Cuneiform Texts in Research 3 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Seminar per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge (at least one year) of a cuneiform language.
This seminar is meant for graduate students who wish to use cuneiform texts (in original or in translation) for their research. The most general question that we will ask is: how does a text produce meaningful information? The seminar is organized around three tasks: evaluation of secondary literature, methodological reflection on the use of texts, and using cuneiform texts in a scholarly paper.
Course may be repeated for credit with consent of instructor. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD C220/HISTART C220 Seminar in Near Eastern Art 2 or 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies; History of Art
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Seminar per week for 15 weeks.
Seminar on critical aspects of Near Eastern art requiring intensive study and presentation of a research paper. Topics vary from semester to semester.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 223 Seminar in Near Eastern Archaeology 2 or 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Seminar per week for 15 weeks.
Seminar on critical aspects of Near Eastern archaeology requiring intensive study and presentation of a reseach paper and oral report. Topics vary from semester to semester.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes. Formerly known as 223A-223B.
NE STUD 290A Special Studies: Near Eastern Studies 1 - 5 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: Variable.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
Students may enroll in more than one section of 290, but the total number of units of Special Study in any one semester may not exceed 12.
NE STUD 290B Special Studies: Arabic 1 - 5 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: Variable.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
Students may enroll in more than one section of 290, but the total number of units of Special Study in any one semester may not exceed 12.
NE STUD 290C Special Studies: Cuneiform 1 - 5 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: Variable.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
Students may enroll in more than one section of 290, but the total number of units of Special Study in any one semester may not exceed 12.
NE STUD 290D Special Studies: Egyptian 1 - 5 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: Variable.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
Students may enroll in more than one section of 290, but the total number of units of Special Study in any one semester may not exceed 12.
NE STUD 290E Special Studies: Hebrew 1 - 5 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: Variable.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
Students may enroll in more than one section of 290, but the total number of units of Special Study in any one semester may not exceed 12.
NE STUD 290F Special Studies: Iranian 1 - 5 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: Variable.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
Students may enroll in more than one section of 290, but the total number of units of Special Study in any one semester may not exceed 12.
NE STUD 290G Special Studies: Semitics 1 - 5 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: Variable.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
Students may enroll in more than one section of 290, but the total number of units of Special Study in any one semester may not exceed 12.
NE STUD 290H Special Studies: Turkish 1 - 5 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: Variable.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
Students may enroll in more than one section of 290, but the total number of units of Special Study in any one semester may not exceed 12.
NE STUD 291 Dissertation Writing Workshop 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Graduate
Term course may be offered: Fall
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 2 hours of workshop per week, plus 1.5 hours of writing group every other week.
Prerequisites: Advancement to candidacy, limited to students engaged in research for and writing of the doctoral dissertation.
A faculty member will oversee the group, offering guidance and making sure guidelines are followed. Students will manage the group's day-to-day operations. At least one week before each meeting a student will pre-circulate a draft of a chapter. During the meeting, students will give feedback on the draft. This feedback will be used to revise the chapter, which will be due at the end of the semester. The workshop is open to graduate students from other departments who are writing on topics associated with Near Eastern Studies.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 292 Museum Internship 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Hours and format: 10 to 15 hours per week of curatorial work.
Jointly supervised by a professional staff of a participating museum and a faculty member in the Art and Archaeology division of the Department of Near Eastern Studies.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD N295 Supervised Field Research in Archaeology 2 - 8 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Graduate
Term course may be offered: Summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: Variable.
Full time participation in an archaeological excavation or exploratory survey, preceded by three hours of seminar per week for one half of one semester, at the discretion of the instructor. Students will participate in all aspects of the operation and will be responsible for preparing a written report on some specific part of the work. Geographical areas and sites to be determined each year. Students taking the seminar only will receive 2 units only.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 296 Topics in Egyptian Art and Archaeology 2 or 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: The grading option will be decided by the instructor when the class is offered.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Seminar per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: 102A-102B or 106A-106B or consent of instructor.
Changing topics involving ancient Egyptian art and archaeology. Focus may be regional, chronological, methodological, and/or thematic.
Course may be repeated for credit as topic varies. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 297 Topics in Ancient Ceramics of Egypt and the Levant 2 or 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: The grading option will be decided by the instructor when the class is offered.
Hours and format: 3 hours of seminar and 1 hour of museum/practicum work per week.
Prerequisites: 102AB, 124AB or the equivalent; Consent of instructor.
Changing topics in the study of ancient ceramics, stressing the relationship between pottery on the one hand, and archaeological practice and research in Egypt and/or the Levant on the other hand. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between pottery and broader issues involving the history and culture of these regions. Where appropriate, extensive use is made of slides and "hands-on" experience with available ceramic collections (e.g., Hearst Museum collection.)
Course may be repeated for credit as topic varies. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 298 Seminar 1 - 4 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 1 to 4 hour of Seminar per week for 15 weeks. 2.5 to 7.5 hours of Seminar per week for 8 weeks.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
Special topics in Near Eastern Studies. Topics vary and are announced at the beginning of each semester.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 299 Dissertation Research and Writing 3 - 12 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: Individual conferences.
Prerequisites: Advancement to candidacy, limited to students engaged in research for and writing of the doctoral dissertation.
All students advanced to candidacy must enroll in 299 every semester in which they are registered. When in residence, students are required to meet with their primary dissertation advisor at least twice a semester. Students not in residence should communicate either by phone or email with their advisor at least twice a semester. Semester grade will be based on written work turned in to the instructor to consist of at least one draft chapter of the dissertation or the equivalent.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 375 Teaching Modern Near Eastern Languages in College: Seminar in Language Pedagogy 3 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Professional course for teachers or prospective teachers
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Hours and format: 3 hours of seminar per week.
Prerequisites: Graduate Standing.
This course is an introductory course that surveys theories of learning and approaches to the teaching of foreign languages in college. Theories will be analyzed and students encouraged to test those theories against their own experiences as students and teachers. This course is designed for new Graduate Student Instructors of Hebrew, Arabic, Persian and Turkish. This course includes classroom observations and reflective teaching.
Course Objectives: 1. a theoretical background in the process of foreign language learning and teaching pedagogy ^2. a space to discuss and test these theories and develop their own teaching philosophy^3. a place for current GSIs to discuss questions and issues that arise during their teaching^4. practical experience in creating lesson plans, material adaptation and development, and assessment^5. the opportunity to reflect on their own teaching and get feedback^6. to explore issues particular to teaching all (or any) of the modern Near Eastern languages
Student Learning Outcomes: Students gain sufficient theoretical and practical background to prepare them for teaching language courses in NES.
Instructor: Variable
NE STUD 601 Individual Studies for Master's Students 1 - 8 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Graduate examination preparation
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Hours and format: Zero hours of Independent study per week for 15 weeks. 1.5 to 15 hours of Independent study per week for 8 weeks.
Individual study for the comprehensive or language requirements in consultation with the graduate adviser. Units may not be used to meet either unit or residence requirements for a master's degree.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
NE STUD 602 Individual Study for Doctoral Students 1 - 8 Units
Department: Near Eastern Studies
Course level: Graduate examination preparation
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Hours and format: Zero hours of Independent study per week for 15 weeks. 1.5 to 15 hours of Independent study per week for 8 weeks.
Individual study in consultation with the major field adviser, intended to provide an opportunity for qualified students to prepare themselves for the various examinations required of candidates for the Ph.D. May not be used for unit or residence requirements for the doctoral degree.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
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